Happy New Year from this teacher who has returned from my family's beach holiday rested and more ready for whatever 2016 holds in store! I hope this post finds you feeling more relaxed as well, and looking forward to seeing the smiling faces of your students on Monday morning! It's been almost three weeks since I posted here.  Too long.....I know.  The hectic pace of of the last days of school before holiday break, followed by the siren song of the Bonita Beach sand, sun, and surf diverted my focus.  I am back now though, with a promise be more present and focused in my content here this year. What better way to get this blogging party started than to join Farley's monthly CURRENTLY celebration!  Be sure to check out all of the other thoughtful reflections {HERE} ! I have to admit that holiday re-runs on The Hallmark Channel  are my background entertainment as I blog this morning in anticipation of tonight's new movie prem......

Welcome friends! Life has been a bit of a TSUNAMI of late what with the start of school fourteen days ago and the work required "after hours" for my online reading endorsement.  Since I don't have time to write or create much "new" content for my beloved blog, I thought I'd start to share past posts that you may enjoy or relate to!  Enjoy this one from September 2015...... Whew!  After surviving  two full weeks plus four days of school, I must say that this three-day weekend is a welcome respite! This tired teacher plans to take advantage of the following activities.... Time to sleep, time to read, and time to hang out with family and friends are all on my agenda.  I'm looking forward to one last family get-together at the lake on Sunday, and one last lounging time at the pool with friends on Monday. Today is my time for resting while writing and reflecting though, so here's my September contribution to Farley's mont......

Greetings on this peaceful, easy Saturday evening my friends.... Rosie is sleeping in her special spot on the sofa.  I can hear my neighbors grandchildren riding by on their bicycles.  There is caramel coffee in my cup. The light outside my deck window is fading.   In the words of Zac Brown..... "Life is good today...." While I have to admit that this has been a week full of personal setbacks, I continue to move forward on my life's journey with strong resolve.....especially on the professional front.  This summer I explored some new opportunities--which I will share in a future post...and stepped way outside my comfort zone to travel and experience  things I've had on my bucket list for a long while.  Yes, it monopolized a lot of my time in July, but it all made me a better teacher, collaborator, and person.   Tonight as I reflect on all that has transpired in this "Zen Summer of Jen 2015," it seems fitting to join  ......

Whoa Nelly! It is July already!  Where did June go?  I think it was washed away by rain, my friends!  That.....and time spent shoveling out my classroom with the help of true blue friends who have vowed to transform me into an organized binder queen!  More on that topic will be revealed in another post, but for today I will share my latest contribution to Farley's CURRENTLY linky party! While this new month brings lots of new opportunities for me, it also brings lots of ANXIETY.  I just keep listening to The Beatles " Let It Be " and reminding myself that CHANGE IS GOOD!  My trip to Vegas for the Teachers Pay Teachers 2015 Conference is in SEVEN DAYS, and my thoughts are whirling about what to expect, who I will meet, and all the new things I will learn! LISTENING~ Catching up on current events and enjoying the morning talk shows is something I really enjoy during the summer.  Cozying up on the couch with Rosie, sippin......

Hello Friends! Just call me eight days late to Farley's  party for March!  The new month rushed in with a vengeance, that is for sure! Room #2 has been scrambling to celebrate Dr. Seuss, enjoy some fun STEM learning projects, and finish up our study of famous Americans!  Eight snow/ice days--as well as multiple two-hour delays-- this winter have put us way behind, and we have just been trying to catch up this past week.    I promised myself that I would carve out some time to post here today, after blogging over at   The Primary Pack yesterday about all things imaginative and creative!    I hope you'll enjoy reading my March CURRENTLY list and then hop over to see more! One tired hound dog.... My daughter and my nephew climbing Camelback Mountain in Arizona.... My son and his buddy skiing in t......